1.Tell us a bit about yourself?
I am a wife to a loving husband and a mother of one energetic young boy. I am an engineer by profession and am passionate about education and the importance thereof for growth and transformation, inclusion and women empowerment.
2. What work do you do?
I worked as a metallurgist in the mining industry for several years where I gained a lot of knowledge and experience in processing. Working is such an industry equipped me with strong leadership skills and moulded me as a female leader. I have since transitioned to consulting which is a wonderful opportunity to not only learn but to utilise my skills and knowledge.
3. How long have you been in the industry?
I was in the mining industry for just over 10 years and am in my first quarter of my consulting tenure.
4. Has your work always been your passion? Tell us why?
Metallurgy has been of key interest to me from my undergraduate years. What always intrigued me about it was the various concepts it introduced and what it entailed as a career. The modules exposed me to different facets of the mining value chain.
Learning and being introduced to different types of metallurgy; including the principles of the physical, hydro- and extractive metallurgy environments was definitely of great interest to me.
5. Being a woman in the industry – what does it take?
Being a woman in the mining industry requires one to always remember who you are. It’s an environment where you should not deter from our principles and most importantly not shy away from your gender.
6. What has been the most difficult challenge of your career?
My biggest challenge was coming from University and having to come into the industry and do shift work. This was a huge adjustment in the nature of the work environment as well as the adjustment it required in terms of sleeping patterns. It did take a while to develop a working route, but once it was establishing the full value of shift work was realised. The learning acquired in the process allowed me a different point of view to what happens in a production environment and afforded me the ability to better understand processing in its entirety.
7. What advice do you have for other women in your industry?
Mining is equally for men as it is for women. Resilience and hard work are key ingredients in the recipe to success in the industry. In all the tasks you embark on, always leverage your strengths and work on the weaknesses. Never be afraid to ask when you are uncertain and always remember that your input matters so do not hold back.
8. Plans for the future?
I’ve just started a wonderful job which I’m thoroughly enjoying. The plan is to always fully apply myself to the work I do.
Short bio
Born and bred in the eastern free state, in a town known called QwaQwa. I am the youngest of 2 girls born from 2 loving parents. My family and friends are quite dear to me. I have been brought up in a loving and highly disciplined home in the eastern Free State with only one sibling. Both my parents have served as great sources of motivation and inspiration for my sister and I throughout our upbringing. I am married to a wonderful man and we have been blessed with a son. I have a wonderful network of friends which has been built over the years that I still keep very close.
I attended primary school at Sentinel primary school and proceeded to Eunice High School for my highschool studies. I completed my MSc in Metallurgy and Materials Science in with the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg and I have recently completed my Post Graduate Diploma in General Management with GIBS and am currently pursuing an MBA with GIBS.
I matriculated from Eunice in 2006 which is when I proceeded to the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg for my undergraduate studies. Post my undergraduate studies I joined Anglo American Coal as a graduate. I started my working career at Anglo American Coal as a graduate Metallurgist. Gaining exposure on their various operations I moved to being the Senior Plant Metallurgist and subsequently the metallurgical engineer. I then moved to Phola Processing plant as a processing engineer.
In my spare time I love to spend time with my family, over a lovely meal or in the outdoors. I also enjoy tutoring high school kids and seeing them grow into young professionals and grab the opportunities which life has to offer.
